The Modern Review/Volume 38/Number 6/Our Friend Joynson-Hicks

Our Friend Joynson-Hicks.

We do not call Sir William Joynson-Hicks our friend sarcastically. He is a real friend; for he spoke the truth, so far as the object, not the means and method, of the British ‘conquest’ of India is concerned, when, as quoted in Young India, he said:—

“We, did not conquer India for the benefit of the Indians. I know it is said at missionary meetings that we conquered India to raise the level of the Indians. That is cant. We conquered India as the outlet for the goods of Great Britain. We conquered India by the sword and by the sword we should hold it. (“Shame”.) Call shame if you like. I am stating facts. I am interested in missionary work in India and have done much work of that kind, but I am not such a hypocrite as to say we hold India for the Indians. We hold it as the finest outlet for British goods in general, and for Lancashire cotton goods in particular.”